(CNN) - He's the first commander-in-chief to carry a BlackBerry-like device — but that doesn’t mean he’s reachable. President Obama is staying mum on the identity of the privileged few who’ve been given his new e-mail address.

In an interview with NBC Sunday, the president said only a "handful" of people are able to contact him through the super-secure device.

"Look, there are security issues involved," Obama said. "And so we’ve gotta make sure that I’m not - creating a situation where - you know, potential people can compromise our [security].

Obama also suggested the list does not include any world leaders.

"Typically, world leaders are going to be contacting me through the Oval Office. They know how to reach me there," he said.

The exclusive list of those who have the president's e-mail address reportedly includes a small group of senior aides and cabinet officials. According to a report in the New York Times, security precautions make it impossible to forward an e-mail from the president, or to send the president attachments.

soundoff(209 Responses)

Joy

I don't care if the president has a blackberry or who has his personal email. What I do care about is the decisions he is making (some I like, some definately not cool) I also care that we have turned our commander in chief into a "star" . People like Francis in Illinois "he is so cute". People, had we not had our head in the sand for the past SEVERAL administrations, we may not be in this mess. Also, I am sick to death of people calling anyone who doesn't agree with them a "HATER" . This word now means nothing in our culture. It is meant only to be a thought stopper. Pay attention please America-the next several generations depend on it.

February 2, 2009 02:22 pm at 2:22 pm |

Otto

Jim,

You are sick; go get your head examined. This also includes TCM. You guys are really low.

February 2, 2009 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

California Gold

So what if he has a Blackberry. At least he is tech savvy. We just had 8 years of President Bush who referred to the web as the "internets". McCain admitted during his campaign he doesn't know how to use e-mail. I'll take smart over stupid any day.

February 2, 2009 02:24 pm at 2:24 pm |

mollygonz

There are some whacked out Rethugs on the comment page right now. How sad for you that you harbor such resentment. Get over it.

February 2, 2009 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Smart people

@NOAH,

Perhaps CNN chose not to pull this particular story from the National Enquirer. Come on, you sound like you are frequenting psychotic angelfire sites looking for anything you can to discredit Obama. Also, the idea that diplomacy is "weak" is as ignorant as TCM's posts. Whether you repubs want to believe it or not, we can't wage war on every country that we don’t agree with. Why waste lives and billions of dollars when a little decency and listening could potentially solve the problem?

February 2, 2009 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |

Repubs runnin' scared-as usual

How about letting him get working? So far Obama has not really made any mistakes to speak of. Hell, at this point in the Bush term the Repubs were still looking for a way to steal the election for Bush and Bush himself was out golfing, vacationing and playing cowboy in Texas. When Obama makes a mistake get on him for it, but as it stands he appears to have more brain-power than all the Republicans combined.

February 2, 2009 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |

Blue Proctor

I want him to be in the 21st century and not dummed up like Bush. You know "the googles" and the "internets", that sort of thing, I also want him to get the "real world" view, not just the homogenized view given by his handlers. Good that he was able to keep it. Just filter everything like it should. How close to the people does he want to get. I would want to hear from Mr. & Mrs Joe Common. Real people. Not a single high roller or exec.

February 2, 2009 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

Ira Gomez

I wonder why he is hiding his EMail addresses? Is there a woman there he keeps in contact with besides Michelle?

February 2, 2009 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

Alan

OK - Republican responses to THIS story have finally pushed me over the top. It's apparent you have no idea what you're talking about. Your party is in a shambles. Now I don't care if it EVER gets straightened out.

President Obama has accomplished more in 12 days than G.W. could have in 12 years. Sorry that distresses you but - give him four years and your ridiculous comments and predictions will ALL be so dead wrong you'll know how it feels to be Rush Limburgher.